Three interesting matches to get into from the Canadian Open today, and honestly the Fonseca vs Shelton one alone is worth talking about. Let's get into it.
Canadian Open Predictions
Jiri Lehecka vs Rafael Jodar
Head-to-head: First meeting
Lehecka is the higher-ranked player here and has shown he can compete with the best on hard courts, but Jodar has been building steadily and this is a first meeting so there's no psychological baggage either way. Lehecka can be streaky and when his level dips he's not always easy to back, and Jodar seems comfortable enough in these kind of matches to take it the distance.
This feels like a three-setter either way, and I think Jodar's consistency gets him over the line.
Prediction: Jodar in 3
Joao Fonseca vs Ben Shelton
Head-to-head: Fonseca 0-1 Shelton
Fonseca is one of the most exciting young players on tour and he's been turning heads all year, but Shelton already has a win over him and hard courts are where Shelton is at his most dangerous, that serve especially. Fonseca will compete, he always does, and there's a version of this where he pushes Shelton deep into a third. But Shelton's power on this surface is a real problem and he's not easy to break when he's locked in.
Shelton wins this one, though don't be surprised if Fonseca makes him work for it.
Prediction: Shelton in 3
Arthur Fils vs Cameron Norrie
Head-to-head: First meeting
Fils has been one of the more fun players to watch on hard courts lately, hitting through his opponents with real aggression and not blinking in tight moments. Norrie has had a difficult stretch of form and hard courts don't bring out the best in him the way clay does. That said, the slow conditions in Montreal can stretch out rallies, which should help Norrie stay in points, but Fils has become so good at not panicking in those long exchanges and dictating when it matters.
Prediction: Fils in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Yannick Legare/ZUMA Press Wire